If there’s one thing that can be said about Barack Obama and his chances of winning re-election, it’s that he’s dominant on social media in ways that none of the GOP candidates even fathom. Case in point: Pinterest. Obama’s there. Mitt Romney’s wife is on Pinterest but the Republican frontrunner is not, nor are any of the other remaining candidates (at least not in a way that’s making a difference). Newt Gingrich may or may not have a presence there – if this is really him, he’s not doing very well.
As with just about everything related to social media, Obama announced his Pinterest page on his Twitter stream.
As the Republican race seems to be winding down and the general election combat starts to heat up, social media will play a huge role in the outcome. While television still has the greatest influence particularly among older voters, social media has become the outlet of ideas and communication for millions of voters across the nation. It has the power to sway in ways that television does not simply because through social media a message can be extended beyond the 30-second campaign ads.
People use the internet to research candidates. Social media is the conduit that many use to find the information (or have the information find them) about the candidates that they want to research. Sentiment is a powerful thing in elections and social media is arguably the most important component in controlling sentiment.
Obama gets it. The Republicans do not.
It is important for progressive Democratic candidates, incumbents, and organizations to get onboard with social media. It is the one great equalizer that can bypass the corporate MSM and reach out *directly* with people. Anyone that values real change and reform in America should help out here. The corporate right can keep staying away, we don’t need your regressive garbage on social media!